A thank you to the people of the US

A thank you to the people of the US

June 10, 2017
Mohammed Al-Bakr
Mohammed Al-Bakr

Mohammed Al-Bakr

By Mohammed Al-Bakr


Although he worked in a pizza shop, he wanted to be a poet. He entered and won a poetry competition with a poem condemning anti-Muslim prejudice. He is only 21 years old. Perhaps it was his fate, maybe his courage or maybe his manhood that led him to stand up for two young women, one a Muslim, on a train in Portland, Oregon. His name is Micah David-Cole Fletcher and he is in intensive care.

Another man, named Ricky John Best, a war veteran and father of four, died at the scene. He family was waiting for him. It was fate that also led him to stand up for the two young women on that evening when he was stabbed and died.

A third man, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, aged 23, died in a scene that only a hero could enact. A passenger began to shout and curse, insulting the two young women. In a few moments, the three heroes intervened to stop him from attacking the two women and the man pulled out a knife. One of the men died at the scene, the second was taken to hospital where he died and the third is in critical condition.

Sacrificing one’s life to save another is paying the highest price and an example of true love. These three men are real heroes whom we applaud. We thank them and appreciate their sense of compassion, which should make any American, regardless of color, religion or race, proud. They should be proud in the same way that their families are proud.

What hurts me is the lack of action by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to express gratitude to the families of the victims and to the American people for the actions of these three heroes. They should be honored on behalf of the Islamic world.


June 10, 2017
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